300hr Vinsaya Yoga Training

We will first immerse ourselves inward, into the Art of Skillful Practice. Not every practitioner is a teacher, but every teacher is first and foremost a student. We will practice every level of asana, breath work, mantra, energy locks, and meditation. For this inward journey we will voyage into self-observation, of our strengths, weaknesses, biases, and overall awesomeness.

The second major component of this Advanced Training will be the Art of Enlightened Teaching, in which we will hone the skills of passing the gift of yoga to others. A central theme of Enlightened Teaching is observation: recognising the unique aspects of the being in front of you. This course endeavours to embody the message of Krishnamacharya: Yoga is not a one-size-fits-all form. Every moment we practice or teach is an opportunity to listen more closely to others and to ourselves.

Also known as the Power of Play, this module is designed to shift the focus away from the skills of teaching and return our focus towards that which is most important: our own practice. While not every practitioner is a teacher, every teacher must be first and foremost a practitioner and student. The Art of Skillful Practice is inherently a journey inward, in which we examine ourselves: our strengths, weaknesses, biases and overall awesomeness.

A great challenge for making a self-practice effective is simply making it regular; ensuring that the ritual of self-care and self-love is as natural as taking a meal. Therefore this training will address the largest obstacles to regularity, and how we can make our practice not just beneficial, but also creative enough to keep us entertained.

Banyan’s background in circus and performance come through in all trainings, but especially this one. Expect a hearty dose of laughter, improvisational exercises, and AcroYoga to bring a splash of joy, pleasure, and unexpected depth into your self-practice.

At the center of every altar lies a flame. No matter whether you’re in a church, mosque, or temple, the candle stands, wavering but patient, illuminating the space around it with its warmth of prayer.

Why is it that some yoga classes fill us with inspiration, and others are just ok? Why do we leave certain classes feeling exhausted, and others exhilarated? How can we maximize our impact on our students in the small amount of time we are together?

In this part we will focus on that which enlightens us and those around us: the flame. Known by many names: Agni, Kundalini, Shakti. Living fire is what enlightens us and wakes us up. The basics here are simple: if we understand how the fire works, we hope to use it to illuminate the lives of others: our students, our partners, and our family members.

A central theme of the Art of Enlightened Teaching is observation: recognizing the unique aspects of the being in front of you. This module endeavors to embody Krishnamacharya’s message: bring yoga to the student, rather than pushing the student towards yoga. We will resist the urge to oversimplify and practice a one-size-fits-all form, and instead see every moment we practice or teach as an opportunity to listen more closely to others and ourselves.